Transport rack for securing a receptacle

ABSTRACT

A transport rack 1 for fixing a receptacle 101 in a transport container 102, the transport rack 1 comprising a plurality of interconnected frame elements 2 arranged in such a way as to form a receiving space 11 for the receptacle 101 disposed therein, the transport rack 1 further comprising a movable fixing means 3 for fixing the receptacle 101 disposed in the receiving space 11.

The invention relates to a transport rack for fixing a receptacle in a transport container according to claim 1.

A transport container of this kind may be, for example, a thermally insulated transport container for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods. In temperature-controlled transport of goods, a predetermined temperature range is maintained during the transport period. Passive temperature control includes the use of additional temperature storage elements such as PCM (phase changing material), melt storage elements or dry ice.

Due to the use of vacuum insulation elements for thermal insulation, such transport containers are very well suited in practice for passively temperature-controlled transports and are correspondingly widespread.

Hitherto, receptacles for transporting liquid active substances for medical products have usually been transported on pallets in transport containers. These pallets are transferred to the transport container with the aid of a forklift truck. This is cumbersome and poses a risk not only to the integrity of the receptacle and its contents, but can also lead to personal injury, as accidents can occur, for example during loading and unloading of the cargo, due to unexpected tipping over and the associated shift in center of gravity.

It is also known to fix receptacles individually in individually manufactured or welded transport racks and to transfer these transport racks to the transport container. These racks exhibit the disadvantage that they can only be used very inflexibly, especially with regard to different receptacle sizes, and that a new transport rack has to be produced for each size.

Furthermore, DE 94 15 880 U1, DE 20 2004 017 634 U1, DE 20 2015 008 133 U1 and GB 2 480 673 A are known.

The object underlying the invention is to provide a transport rack that overcomes the disadvantages in the prior art and is flexibly adaptable to different receptacle sizes.

This object is attained by a transport rack according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments form the subject matter of the respective subclaims.

The invention comprises a transport rack for fixing a receptacle in a transport container. The transport rack comprises a plurality of interconnected frame elements.

These frame elements are arranged in such a way as to form a receiving space for the receptacle disposed therein. The transport rack further comprises a movable fixing means for fixing the receptacle disposed in the receiving space. Due to the fixation with the aid of the movable fixing means, a better and safer transport of receptacles is ensured and a flexible use with different receptacle sizes is possible.

It is advantageous if the transport rack comprises one base element and four vertical (bar-shaped or flat) frame elements extending upwards therefrom. Also provided are horizontal frame elements arranged in such a way as to connect the vertical frame elements. These additional horizontal braces stabilize the overall structure. Depending on the payload, stability can be further increased by additional cross braces placed between the horizontal and vertical frame elements. It is also possible that there are fastening elements mounted on the frame elements to fix the transport rack in a transport container.

According to an advantageous aspect, the base element comprises a closed surface. On this surface, it is not a problem to move receptacles with rollers and thus insert them into the rack. To save weight, the surface may also comprise recesses of various shapes. Likewise, recesses can be provided for the rollers of a rolling container or a rolling pallet.

Preferably, the base element has a hollow profile extending over the entire width at each of the two opposite side portions. This hollow profile receive forklift tines and thus enable easy movement of the rack.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the hollow profile comprises at least one first opening for receiving a forklift tine at the end portions. According to one embodiment, it is also possible that the hollow profile is accessible to a forklift tine from the two opposing sides.

In addition, the hollow profile comprises at least one second opening for receiving a tensioning strap on a longitudinal side located between the end portions. Due to the presence of the holes, the receptacle can be fixed solely or additionally with the aid of tensioning straps. If several holes are present, the optimum fastening can be selected individually according to the dimensions of the body. It is also possible that the fastening of the transport rack in a transport container is carried out with the aid of these recesses.

An alternative embodiment provides that the base element has two hollow profiles running in parallel at a distance in the area of the center, which are designed to receive transport tines (forklift tines). Separate strips are arranged on the two opposite side portions with openings for receiving a tensioning strap.

Another variant envisages arranging a pallet construction, for example in the manner of a standard Euro pallet, in the region of the base.

It is advantageous if the fastening means is arranged indirectly or directly on an upwardly extending frame element.

According to an advantageous aspect, the fastening means comprises a fastening rod extending in parallel or obliquely to the respective frame element. A fastening arm comprising at least one movable fastening element is arranged on the fastening rod. The fastening element can be fastened to the receptacle, for example, by a tensioning strap. It is also conceivable that two opposite fastening means clamp the receptacle between them.

According to another advantageous aspect, the fastening arm is arranged on the fastening rod so as to be movable and/or pivotable. This allows individual adaptation to different receptacle types. Also, due to the length of the fastening rod, several fastening arms and several fastening elements resulting therefrom can be mounted on one fastening rod.

Preferably, the fastening element is designed in such as way so as to receive a tensioning strap. This ensures secure fastening of the receptacle to the transport rack via the fastening element.

Particularly preferably, the (each) fastening element comprises two movable abutment elements. The abutment elements ensure that the fastening element can adapt optimally to different receptacle geometries (receptacle curves) and can thus be used flexibly. It is not necessary to provide a separate transport rack for each receptacle, since the transport rack according to the invention is suitable for different receptacle diameters. The same applies, for example, to angular receptacles and correspondingly angular fastening elements.

A further embodiment of the invention provides that the transport rack comprises exactly four fastening means. In this way, one fastening means is attached to each vertical frame element and any forces that occur are distributed in the best possible way over the transport rack.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Identical reference signs describe identical features. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of the transport rack with a receptacle fixed in the interior space on a rolling support;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of the transport rack without receptacle; and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of the transport rack without receptacle with alternative receptacle for transport tines; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic drawing of the transport rack with receptacle, which is inserted into a transport container.

FIG. 1 shows the transport rack 1 according to the invention for fixing a receptacle 101 in a transport container (FIG. 3 , reference number 102). The transport rack 1 comprises a plurality of interconnected frame elements 2, which are arranged in such a way as to form a receiving space 11 for the receptacle 101 disposed therein. In addition, the transport rack 1 comprises a fixing means 3 for fixing the receptacle 101 disposed in the receiving space 11. The size of the receiving space 11 is selected such that a receptacle with or without wheels or with a (rolling) pallet can be accommodated therein. The transport rack 1 further comprises a base element 5 and four vertical frame elements 2 extending upwardly therefrom. Further, the transport rack 1 comprises horizontal frame elements 2 arranged in such a way so as to connect the vertical frame elements 2. The fastening element 33 is configured in such a way as to receive a tensioning strap 6.

FIG. 2 also shows the transport rack 1 according to the invention, but without a receptacle. It can be seen that the base element 5 has a hollow profile 52 extending over the entire width at each of the two opposite side portions. The hollow profile 52 comprises at least one first opening 521 for receiving a forklift tine at the end portions, the hollow profile 52 comprising eight openings 522 for receiving a tightening strap (FIG. 1 , reference numeral 6) at a longitudinal side 523 located between the end portions. The fastening means 3 is directly arranged on an upwardly extending frame element 2. The fastening means 3 comprises a fastening rod 31 extending in parallel to the respective frame element 2, wherein a fastening arm 32 is arranged on the fastening rod 31 and comprises at least one movable fastening element 33. The fastening arm 32 is arranged on the fastening rod 31 in a displaceable and pivotable manner. The fastening element 33 comprises two movable abutment elements 331. The transport rack 1 comprises exactly four fastening means 3.

FIG. 3 also shows the transport rack 1 according to the invention, but without a receptacle in an alternative embodiment.

The alternative embodiment provides that the base element 5 has two hollow profiles 52 running in parallel at a distance in the area of the center, which are designed to receive transport tines (forklift tines). Separate strips with the openings 522 are arranged for receiving a tensioning belt.

In this embodiment, ramps 7 are shown which can be suspended in the transport rack when not in use and which can be placed against the transport rack for loading or unloading the receptacle. In this way, the angle at which the receptacle is moved into the transport rack can be reduced to facilitate loading and unloading of the same.

FIG. 4 shows the transport rack 1 as it is placed in a transport container 102. The transport container 102 is provided with suitable holders to fix the transport rack 1. If the sizes of the transport container 102 and the transport rack 1 are matched, it is also conceivable that no additional connection of the two elements is necessary. 

1. Transport rack for fixing a receptacle in a transport container, the transport rack comprising a plurality of interconnected frame elements arranged in such a way as to form a receiving space for the receptacle disposed therein, the transport rack further comprising a movable fixing means for fixing the receptacle disposed in the receiving space.
 2. Transport rack according to claim 1, wherein the transport rack further comprises a base element and four vertical frame elements extending upwardly therefrom, and wherein the transport rack further comprises horizontal frame elements arranged in such a way as to connect the vertical frame elements.
 3. Transport rack according to claim 1, wherein the base element comprises a closed surface.
 4. Transport rack according to claim 1, wherein the base element comprises a hollow profile extending over the entire width at each of the two opposite side portions.
 5. Transport rack according to claim 4, wherein the hollow profile comprises at least one first opening for receiving a forklift tine at the end portions, and wherein the hollow profile comprises at least one second opening for receiving a tensioning strap at a longitudinal side located between the end portions.
 6. Transport rack according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means is arranged indirectly or directly on an upwardly extending frame element.
 7. Transport rack according to claim 6, wherein the fastening means comprises a fastening rod extending in parallel or obliquely to the respective frame element, and wherein a fastening arm is arranged on the fastening rod and comprises at least one movable fastening element.
 8. Transport rack according to claim 7, wherein the fastening arm is arranged displaceably and/or pivotably on the fastening rod.
 9. Transport rack according to claim 7, wherein the fastening element is configured to receive a tensioning strap.
 10. Transport rack according to claim 7, wherein the fastening element comprises two movable abutment elements.
 11. Transport rack according to claim 1, wherein the transport rack comprises exactly four fastening means.
 12. Transport rack according to claim 1, further comprising stacking elements configured to arrange two transport racks on top of each other. 